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Patriots pre-season is upon us!

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Time feels like it’s not a constant, particularly if you’re a football fan and it’s already the pre season! Where ever did that “off season” go?

Now, granted, for some of us it’s gone slower than we would have liked, whilst those of us cramming to get content and shows out we are checking our memory banks for if we had any vacation, there is no doubt that the pads come on tonight!

There’s been controversy, concern, drama and more importantly injuries. So as we sit here as fans looking at how the likes of centre back up Jake Andrews is already out for the season, and that superstar stud Christian Barmore has been diagnosed with blood clots (positive vibes up for his recovery and return!). And whilst Devon Godchaux got his contract extension and dollars, Matthew Judon still hasn’t… eeep.

How about as I write this on Thursday morning (UK time) the Patriots currently hold four quarterbacks? And whilst Coach Mayo has confirmed Jacoby Brissett was brought in as QB1, theres still those that want the third player taken in the 2024 NFL draft to start the season. But the pre-season? Coach says those that are healthy play. 

With more “will they won’t they” than an enemies to lovers romance novel, the Patriots wide receiver drama has been burning this year. First was the pursuit of Calvin Ridley, then the more recent attempted courtship of Brandon Aiyuk. But ultimately the Patriots stayed pat, whether they truly wanted to or not, with the considerable list of wide receivers they have acquired already. 

So patience is a virtue eh Pats fans? But whilst the  offensive line is still in need of some… thing, the offence may have hidden potential with some of the draft selections in Javon Baker and Ja’Lynn Polk. And, don’t forget they still have Hunter Henry.

But here we are you lovely lot, Thursday night, albeit pre-season football is upon us. 

And when those players run out on that field in those jerseys, in those numbers, with names (some we may still be learning!) blazoned across their backs, be ready for the goosebumps, for the hair to prickle up the back of your neck, because football is back! The Patriots are back! It may be that rebuild season that we have been waiting for, for the last three years but it’s here and we love it! 

I mean, we have to right? Because WE ARE ALL PATRIOTS!

Don’t forget to tune into the latest Pats Procrastination only available on the Pats Propaganda YouTube channel! Wednesday Clazzy Clare and Chudders will be bringing you a recap of the first pre-season game against the Panthers and a preview of game two against the Eagles. 

PatsProp Preview – Regular Season Finale In Buffalo

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Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

A brighter end to the week than how it began following one of the scariest moments in NFL history on Monday night. Thankfully, as this preview goes out, Damar Hamlin is awake and recovering well in a Cincinnati hospital following his cardiac arrest during the game.

With the best news possible on Hamlin’s condition now known, the Patriots 8-8 Patriots and the 12-3 Bills face off in Buffalo NY with the Pats needing a win to extend their season into the playoffs. Here’s your week 18 preview!

Injury Update

Patriots To Watch

Rhamondre Stevenson

The Pats will need their best players in the groove if they’re going to make it to the playoffs, which means Stevenson will need to put in a big shift in Buffalo. The Bills are ranked fourth in the NFL on average rush yards allowed per game with 104.4, meaning it won’t be an easy task to get the ground game moving.

Even with a couple of embarrassing moments late on in the season, Stevenson still has been the best player on offense, and here’s hoping he can finish big on Sunday.

Matt Judon

Judon has kept his quality of play up down the stretch this season, and he’s vital to the playoff hopes in this one. Allen for sure can be forced into mistakes, Judon should be the one forcing them.

He remains on 15.5 sacks, just 3 shy of the current Patriots season sack record of 18.5, held by HOF’er Andre Tippet. Judon will be wanting to get close to, or equal that number on Sunday, hopefully aiding a must-win for the team.

Mac Jones

Mac has been a lot more secure with the ball in the second half of this season as turnovers have come way down, but a negative downside is that the amount of touchdowns he’s thrown is shamefully low. The offensive has to have productive drives against Buffalo, otherwise, it’ll be over before halftime. Let’s go Mac!

Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones was a noticeable absence last week against Miami, weirdly on all three sides of the ball. The rookie has emerged as a swiss army knife this season and I’m excited to see what he can bring to the team on Sunday. Remember, it was against the Bills back in Week 13 that Jones scored his first career offensive touchdown. #25 is a must-watch.

Devin McCourty & Matthew Slater

This is likely the final game for these two future Patriot Hall Of Famers, not saying they’ll have a massive bearing on the game, but enjoy one final time seeing two Patriots legends.

Nick Folk

If the Pats come out of Buffalo with a win, it will have come down to the very fine margins, meaning that Nick Folk will have played a role in the victory. Folk has missed a bunch of kicks in recent weeks, he needs to be 100% on Sunday regardless of if it’s for 1 or 3 points.

Bills Blizzard

Josh Allen

Allen has shown his human side a few times this year, throwing quite a few picks when he’s not fully focused. With everything going on this week, we could see anything from Allen on Sunday, his best version, or, he could leave things open for the Patriots to earn a win. A must-watch.

Stefon Diggs

Unsurprisingly, like Allen, Diggs is a must-watch too, he’s having his second-best career season with 1325 receiving yards, and a joint career-high 10 touchdowns. The Pats have some secondary depth back with Marcus Jone returning, but, they’ll have their work cut out trying to stop the main Bills target who caught 9 passes for just shy of 100 yards and a touchdown back in Week 13 on TNF.

Ed Oliver

One of the reasons the Bills have been so good against the run this season is Ed Oliver, the former 9th overall pick in the 2019 draft has been a quality defensive line addition for them. With the Pats’ offensive front struggling to get consistency in either blocking game, the interior will need to be solid Sunday.

PatsProp Preview – Miami Showdown

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Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Another heartbreaking loss last week condemned the Patriots to their fourth loss in the last five games. They currently sit 7-8 on the season and somehow still control their own fate for a wildcard playoff spot. To get there they must win their final two games, starting on Sunday against Miami, here’s your Week 17 preview!

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Jon Jones

While he is questionable to play, expect Jon Jones to be out there on Sunday, and boy do the Pats need him. The secondary has been struggling with injuries over the last few weeks and rookie sparks Marcus and Jack Jones were both ruled out earlier.

With Miami enjoying the duel threat of Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, Jones will be one to watch as he tries to contain one of them for his assignment.

Jalen Mills

Like Jon Jones, the Pats will be relying heavily on Mills, if he plays. The secondary has missed Mills whilst he’s been dealing with a groin problem in recent weeks. He doesn’t possess the type of speed Jones does, but if he’s able to play, he’ll be expected to cover one of the two deadly Miami speedsters.

Damien Harris

We haven’t seen Damien Harris play for the team since Thanksgiving, and with his contract up at the end of the season, this could be his final home game at a Patriot. Harris was officially off the injury report and will play on Sunday, perhaps splitting a larger share of the carries with Rhamondre, who’s been dealing with an ankle injury.

Harris will want to put some solid tape up in these last couple of games for any potential landing spots in free agency, he’s one to watch in the backfield.

Matthew Judon

Although I haven’t seen his name mentioned nationally for DPOTY, I think there is certainly an argument to be made that Judon should be in the conversation after a career-high season so far. Miami will be without their starting QB, Tua Tagovailoa this week as he deals with another concussion, the real key to victory will be if Judon & co can put some good pressure on Teddy B.

Judon is currently sitting on 15.5 sacks, just 3 shy of the current Patriots season sack record of 18.5, held by HOF’er Andre Tippet. Judon will be wanting to get close or equal that number on Sunday, hopefully aiding a must-win for the team.

Dolphin Danger

Tyreek Hill

You know what Hill brings, he’s been red hot in his first season in Miami, currently sat on 1,632 receiving yards, with 7 touchdowns.

Tua being out could potentially stall Hill’s production as they have had quite the partnership this year, but, Bridgewater could easily throw him a 5-yard pass and he’ll take it 70 yards for the touchdown. Shut. Down. Hill.

Jaylen Waddle

As if Hill wasn’t enough, Miami also have Jaylen Waddle at their disposal, who at times is equally as dangerous as his pass-catching counterpart. Waddle is currently sat on 1,260 receiving yards, with 8 touchdowns.

Christian Wilkins

The Pats have struggled in the redzone all year, they’ve tried to pound it in on the ground numerous times without success. Wilkins will add a major barrier in that plan should they try that again on Sunday, he’s been very good for Miami this year, leading the team in tackles for loss.

PatsProp Preview – Bengals In New England

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Chris Unger/Getty Images

It doesn’t feel very Christmassy at the minute, especially after the shambles of last week in Las Vegas. But, hopefully, the team can rally to finish 2022 strong. Tomorrow, the 7-7 Patriots welcome the 10-4 Bengals. Here’s your snapshot preview for Week 16!

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones has moved to the top of the watch list for me now each week, he always seems to make an impact on games over this recent stretch, regardless of what side of the ball he’s playing on. A bright spark in what’s been a dark period for the team.

Rhamondre Stevenson

While Damien Harris is questionable and expected to be available for the team tomorrow, I expect Stevenson will still be the lead backfield weapon once more for the Patriots. Stevenson’s career-high game last week ended in disaster with that bonkers play, he’ll want to forget everything about that and hopefully put in another huge game on the ground. One to watch, as always.

Josh Uche + Matt Judon

This tandem pass-rushing attack is so important for the Patriots, especially with how Uche has come along in the last couple of months. They were both not quite as effective last week against the Raiders, but for me, they hold the keys to any chance of a win tomorrow, they have to get after Burrow.

Wild Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase

Now Chase is back and healthy, he resumes his role as WR1 and one of the league’s best pass-catchers. The Pats did a great job of shutting down DeVante Adams last week, but I do fear that they won’t be able to subdue Chase tomorrow, he’s the main threat.

Joe Mixon + Samaje Perine

Unlike last week where the Pats needed to only stop one threat out of the backfield, tomorrow they’ll have to deal with a tandem pairing that has found the endzone 14 times this season. Mixon for sure hasn’t had the same sort of production we saw this time last year, but, the offense has shown that they can get either player into the endzone either carrying or catching the ball.

Trey Hendrickson

Even with a broken wrist, Hendrickson is expected to play which is a huge boost for the Bengals. Obviously, it’s not an ideal situation and he’ll likely have a giant club on the affected limb, but, with the issues the team has had on the offensive line, Hendrickson still poses a big threat to Mac Jones.

PatsProp Preview – West Coast Trip Pt 2

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Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

At 7-6, the Patriots are still in the picture for the final wildcard playoff slot in the AFC. Tomorrow brings the second and final game of their West Coast tour, facing off against a former friend, Josh McDaniels and the 5-8 Vegas Raiders. Here’s your snapshot preview for Week 15!

Injuries

Update-

Damien Harris – OUT
Isaiah Wynn – OUT/Placed on IR ending his season
Christian Barmore – Activated from IR

Patriots To Watch

Mac Jones

My focus remains on Mac again this week, and I just hope he can help the team to a win to keep the playoff hopes alive. I don’t need ridiculous numbers from him, just please have a clean game and don’t make any mistakes. Also, try and get along a bit more with Matty P if possible, or at least don’t tell him to shove it during the game.

Jakobi Meyers

The Pats have really missed Meyers since he left the Bills game with a concussion, he’s expected to be back tomorrow (questionable) and with that it also brings back Mac’s safety blanket. The Patriots offense has looked pretty shoddy all season, but at least with Meyers in the mix you feel good about a drive not always stalling in the Pats’ own territory.

Rhamondre Stevenson

Stevenson should be good to go tomorrow evening (questionable) after he left the Cardinals game early on Monday night with an ankle injury. With no Damien Harris again, expect the rookie duo of Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong to be Stevenson’s backup unit in what could be a shared three-pronged attack. Stevenson will be a key outlet for Mac once again.

Christian Barmore

This is good news for the Pats who at one point may have been worried about Barmore returning at all this season. He does, and will slot straight back in tomorrow to provide a big upgrade on the interior of the defensive line. He’ll be a fun watch.

Lucky Raiders?

DeVante Adams

Amidst all of the Raiders’ struggles, Adams has been as good as ever, currently sat on 82 receptions, 1,247 receiving yards, 12 touchdowns. He’s nothing less than a game-changer, and the Pats secondary is going to have their work cut out trying to shut him down.

Josh Jacobs

With the Patriots getting reinforcements back on the defensive front, neutralising Jacobs should be achievable. Jacobs continues his solid campaign as their star rusher and he can’t be allowed to get comfortable tomorrow, especially with Adams on the outside offering that deadly pass-catching threat.

Darren Waller

The Raiders get Waller back after missing him since Week 5 with a hamstring injury. Waller has been on decline over the last few seasons, dealing with ailments as he tries to find the sort of form the league saw from him in 2020. Even with some rustiness to shake off, the Pats will need to be very aware of the threat the big, athletic tight end brings.

Maxx Crosby

Crosby is a very dangerous customer on the Vegas defensive line, he’s currently sat at 11.5 sacks on the year (career high) and can really disrupt a promising drive all by himself. With the Pats’ O-Line struggles still lingering, Crosby could be in for a busy afternoon getting after Mac Jones.

PatsProp Preview – West Coast Trip Pt 1

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Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

The 6-6 Patriots leave New England for their first of a two-game trip on the West Coast, taking on the 4-8 Arizona Cardinals. Here’s your snapshot preview for Week 14!

Injuries

Patriots To Watch

Mac Jones

Questions still remain unanswered about what the future will be for Mac Jones and the Patriots, but, tomorrow he’ll be a key one to watch as we see if he can lift himself up from a disappointing loss against Buffalo and keep the hopes alive for a Wild Card playoff spot!

Rhamondre Stevenson

Rhamondre Stevenson has grown to be my favorite player on the team, he has given everything for this franchise over the last couple of months, including carrying the entire offense on his back for large portions. With Damien Harris doubtful, expect another busy game for Stevenson.

Jack Jones

With no Jalen Mills tomorrow, Jack Jones could be in for a busy night to support Jon Jones against the Arizona offense. Jones has tapered off from his hot start, maybe sometimes playing a little too aggressively, but, he’s certainly worth keeping an eye on tomorrow.

Hunter Henry

With no Jakobi Meyers tomorrow, Mac Jones will need to find another safety blanket outlet, and I want it to be Hunter Henry. The Pats’ RedZone activity has been almost non-existent for the longest time, I’m hoping that Henry can add a little change to that tomorrow.

Marcus Jones

Marcus Jones continues to be the bright ember of light, in a dull, eerie season for the Patriots. He scored his first offensive touchdown against the Bills last week, which I think says more about how unproductive that side of the ball actually is, regardless, take nothing away from Jones who has had a really solid rookie season.

Whatever side of the ball he contributes toward tomorrow, It’ll be fun to watch.

Arizona Threats

Kyler Murray

Kyler Murray has been very lackluster this year, and highly inconsistent. But, with that being said he is still a very dangerous player and is the main threat for the Cardinals against the Pats If he plays well, it could be a long night for Bill and company.

DeAndre Hopkins

Dhop has been Arizona’s best pass-catcher since he returned from suspension in Week 7, hauling in 49 receptions, with Rondale Moore out for this game, and Zach Ertz out for the season, Hopkins’ star billing shoots even higher and he will be vital for them tomorrow night.

J.J. Watt

Watt is on the back nine of his career, but still offers a critical pass-rushing threat for the Cards, he also leads the team for sacks with 6.5 on the year. With the pass protection for Mac Jones being poor recently, Watt could cause issues.

Pats Prop Preview Week 13: The Buffalo Bills part 1

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Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images

With Tom Shaw-Mellors out on tour, you lovely lot have me yet again for your Pats Prop preview!

Injuries

Patriots Thursday schedule!

It’s another Thursday night match up for the Patriots, where they face the 8 – 3 Bills and maybe some high winds, at Gillette Stadium in those hot hot throwback red jerseys. Here’s your quick fire preview from Clazzy Clare for week 13!

Patriots to watch

Mac Jones

Mac has had good ball security of late, with no interceptions in his last three games and a 100-passer rating or higher in his last two. 

His comfort level in the pocket has increased, and it’s slightly surprising given what we are seeing what it comes to the offensive line and its inconsistency. 

Whilst Mac is a smart quarterback, the basic plays haven’t been executed successfully much so far this season, if the Patriots aren’t going to get cute they at least need to do the fundamentals well if they have any chance of beating this Bills team. 

Jonnu Smith

Whilst Damien Harris being out with injury and not suiting up may not initially make you think about the impact on Jonnu Smith, but I am of the opinion that the versatile tight end may see a resurgence in his duties being split all over the field in regards to carrying as well as catching the ball. 

Rhamondre Stevenson is without a shadow of a doubt the strength of the offense, but with the absence of Damien Harris, the Patriots should not simply shift all the plays over into Stevenson’s inbox increasing the risk of burning him out. This is where I think the versatility of Jonnu will come in handy, and whilst he had no numbers on the board in the Vikings game, it may be time to scheme things up and have Smith’s athletic ability help out against these pesky Bills, even if it is only as a fullback. 

Bills to watch

Josh Allen

A dominant and elite quarterback in the league, although yes folks, it very much pains me to type this, you all know how much I hate the Bills! There is no denying Josh Allen’s prowess. He’s a great improvisor, makes quick decisions and can move. The downside for Bills fans this week at least, he’s nursing an elbow injury. 

This may see the Bills rely heavily on the run game, but if not, one key to the weakness of the Mighty Allen may be impatience. If the Patriots can fan the flames of impatience in Allen, turnovers may be easily pushed, and we all know how you can win games if you win the turnover battle.

Matt Milano

With the star strength of the defense, Von Miller, out of the line up the Patriots can’t rest on their laurels too much with the likes of Matt Milano at linebacker for the Bills. 

Now, Milano is less of an edge guy than Miller but Milano has been sighted as a great playmaker on the Bills defense this year with two interceptions, one being returned for a touchdown. Racking up 49 solo tackles and 16 assists, Milano has great speed and is a strength the Patriots offense need to take very seriously. 

Well there you have it you lovely lot! Please stay tuned on Pats Propaganda for my game recap on Friday and do not worry, Tom shall return to do the previews as usual next week!